Ladakh Scouts

Ladakh Scouts
Regimental insignia of the Ladakh Scouts
Active1963–present
Country India
Allegiance India
Branch Indian Army
TypeMountain infantry
RoleAnti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
Close-quarters battle
Cold-weather warfare
Counterinsurgency
HUMINT
Internal security
Long-range penetration
Maneuver warfare
Mountain warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Tracking
Urban warfare
Size5 battalions
Regimental CentrePhyang, Leh, Ladakh[1][2]
Nickname(s)Snow Warriors, Snow Leopards
War CryKi Ki So So Lhargyalo (Victory to God).
Decorations1 Unit citation, 1 Ashok Chakra, 2 Mahavir Chakra, 2 Kirti Chakra, 2 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 26 Vir Chakra, 6 Shaurya Chakra, 3 Yudh Seva Medals, 64 Sena Medals, 13 Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Mentions-in-Dispatches, 67 Chief of Army Staff commendation cards, 2 Jeevan Raksha Padak[3]
Commanders
Current
commander
Major General MP Singh[4]
Insignia
InsigniaHimalayan Ibex

The Ladakh Scouts is a mountain infantry regiment of the Indian Army, nicknamed as the "Snow Warriors" or "Snow Leopards".[3] The regiment specializes in cold-weather warfare and mountain warfare, long-range penetration, maneuver warfare, raiding with small unit tactics, and reconnaissance in difficult to reach and dangerous terrain. Its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Ladakh Scouts were formed in 1963 by spinning off the Ladakhi battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Militia.[citation needed] They were converted into an Army regiment in 2000.[citation needed] The Ladakh Scouts recruits mainly from India's Ladakhi and Tibetan ethnic communities, and is among the army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honoured with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including a Unit citation, one Ashok Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Ladakh Scouts Relation Result 2020 Declared 23 Feb Result".
  2. ^ "90 young soldiers join Ladakh Scouts Regiment in Leh". 13 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Ladakh Scouts". GlobalSecurity.org.
  4. ^ "Maj Gen MPSingh,YSM,SM COR JAKRIF & LS addressed a Special Sainik Sammelan of the Raghunath Bn on the eve of its departure to Peacekeeping Mission UNMISS". X (formerly twitter). 3 July 2024.